VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 How to Adjust Valves?

I need to adjust the valves on my 1931 Chevrolet. This is the first time I have attempted this procedure. I have read the service and owners manual and understand that the engine needs to be hot before setting the clearances. Silly question perhaps, but is this done with the engine running or off? :confused: The service manual says to slow the idle down when adjusting. If it is done with the engine off should I remove the plugs and turn over till the pressure from the compression stroke is felt then adjust the valves on that clyender, doing the same for each. Is there some relation to the settings on the flywheel. Perhaps this was common knowledge back
then. :rolleyes:
Thanks,

John, if I were you I would try it the first time with the engine warmed up but not running and do #1 first, being sure to have #1 at TDC on the Compression stroke, then go to the next one in the fireing sequence, so on.
YES the mark on the flywheel usually an embedded steel ball that lines up with the pointer in the window on the flywheel housing is when the #1 piston is at TDC, remember it lines up two times per fireing cycle, once when it is on the compression stroke ( this is the one where both valves are completely closed on #1 clyinder), and again on the exhaust stroke Not the right position for fireing or adjusting the valves, since you want to set the gap between the valve stem and the rocker head, maintaining clearance so that the valves will completely close.


Then I would get someone familure with the procedure to set them while the engine is running and see if they will teach you the procedure, some of them can show a method to use while the engine is not running that will save time and energy.

Well Paul, did you get the valves adjusted? :confused: :confused:

OOOOPPPS! I called John, Paul Sorry John and Paul

Hitting the Budweiser a little hard there like old Donald, huh Macky Wacky? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

No Butwippzer for me Daddy-O!!, Did you know that Colorado Cool Aid actually has some alcohol in it? and it is so SSSSMMMMMOOOOOOTHH too!

Now, that I agree with! Smoooooooooooooooth! Ya, I like it! Okay, that's cool as long as you don't switch over to Budweiser and become a traitor. Ha ha! Hey, old Donald needs all of that "Bud" for himself anyway, and they barely make enough now to keep him happy! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Mr Mack - My first attempt at adjusting the valves resulted in a slight "popping" in the carb which I did not have before. Car still idles fine though. I was out this weekend so was unable to try again. May be able to have another member here locally give me some pointers. Will work on it this week, but will not committ to a fourth of July appearance yet...
Will keep you posted.

Since this is your "first time"... a comment may be in order... your purpose in adjusting the valves is NOT to make them quiet. Quieter, yes, but not totally quiet. You should always hear some "clatter" from them.

You want to error towards being a little noisy, rather than being quiet.

Sorry, but in the long run this will save you $$$ and headaches. A burnt valve can ruin your whole day... week... month.... etc.

Just an update on the adjustment of valves on my 31'. Had a good friend stop by to show me how to adjust the valves (he wound up doing all the work). Found that most of the valves were out of adjusment .020 or more. With the new adjustments I could not believe how quiet the car runs now